just a few hours before the debate started. romney did his debate prep in denver. when you go to 5,000 feet and you only have a few hours to adjust, i don't know, maybe -- >> both candidates are visiting key battleground states today starting with virginia. nancy cordes is at the white house. good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you, charlie. >> what is the president's team, what reasons are they giving for his performance? >> reporter: well, there's the charitable view and there's the not so charitable view. the charitable view from inside the campaign is this was a strategy that kind of went yoaw. it was for the president to stay above the fray, remain presidential and not mix it up with momry. romney came into the room loaded for bear. it made the president look weak and bored by comparison. not so charitable view is the president just didn't bring his a-game that night. that he was well prepared, that he's much more forceful in his arguments out on the campaign trail, but just didn't bring it into the debate. >> so, nancy, what's the strategy now? >> well